Bulls prioritizing Zach LaVine trade

It’s no secret that the Chicago Bulls are looking to move on from guard Zach LaVine. And from the sounds of things LaVine is open to moving on, too.

In fact, the Bulls are reportedly open to revamping the roster and moving several players. But per K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, head of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas isn’t likely to make a move before he figures out and pulls off a LaVine trade.

“LaVine is the main organizational focal point for now. In fact, league sources said that, at least for now, Karnisovas is responding to inquiries on other players by saying he wants to see what the roster looks like post-LaVine trade first,” Johnson wrote.

Needless to say, the Los Angeles Lakers are a rumored LaVine suitor, just as they are mentioned whenever an opposing standout player becomes available. But the LaVine rumors may have legs, given that he shares agent Rich Paul with Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. And in today’s NBA, agents can often be very helpful in orchestrating trades.

Several other teams have already spoken to the Bulls as well. But as we’ve relayed, a deal isn’t likely to occur before the middle of December, when players who signed offseason contracts become trade-eligible. More will do the same in the middle of January, about three weeks before the February trade deadline.